Judaism: Quick and Easy - Softcover

Cantor Donald M. Slonim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0981692400 ISBN 13: 9780981692401

Publisher: Mitzvah Ceremonies, Inc., 2008

Synopsis

This book, which includes a CD with Jewish songs, is for busy kids (11 and up) and adults, who want an enjoyable introduction to Judaism that relates to life today. It is for you even if you are not religious and have no previous Jewish education, but are curious about your Jewish roots; have an interfaith family or want to know more about the Judaic roots of Christianity and Islam; want to give a child or grandchild a meaningful gift; want to enhance your other Jewish education; want a complete Jewish education in one informal and informative book with Jewish History, Holidays, Holocaust, Israel (up to its 60th Anniversary), Life Cycle Celebrations, maps, glossary, Yiddish and Hebrew expressions, prayers, and thought-provoking questions for family discussions, and lots more. If a book with 358 pages does not seem quick to you, consider the book covers all aspects of the story of the Jewish people from the birth of Judaism, nearly 4,000 years ago, to the present time of Israel s 60th Anniversary. Reading it from beginning to end presents a panoramic view of our people that has essential information about the Holocaust and Israel, and why Judaism survived and thrived despite anti-Semitism and other hardships. If anyone wants a quick understanding of an important topic, any segment can be read independently. This book reads like a novel and is written so even young readers can understand it. Judaism: Quick and Easy is very up-to-date and connects history with news in the Middle East today. The following examples from the Table of Contents illustrate the book's humorous and user-friendly style: The first murder mystery - Cain and Abel; The first cruise - Noah and the Ark; The first skyscraper - The Tower of Babel. The book includes a CD with Jewish songs for simchas (happy occasions), songs of Israel, and prayers (so they are familiar when you attend a synagogue service), to enrich your learning about Judaism; to sing along with (all of the words and meaningful explanations, with transliterations of Hebrew words, are in the book); and to use at Passover Seders. Bottom line: this book and CD are informative, enjoyable, and help provide a comprehensive Jewish education, yet the set only costs $34.95 (a real meh-TZEE-eh, Yiddish for bargain). Additional information and excerpts from the book and CD are at the web site for JudaismQuickandEasy.

About this title

About the Author

Cantor Donald M. Slonim graduated from Rutgers University. As a graduate student, he completed the five-year, full-time, Cantorial program at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, earned his degree in Sacred Music With Honors; and was awarded the Prize for General Excellence. He received a Master of Arts in Music and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. He studied opera at The Juilliard School, where he won a full scholarship in competitive auditions. Besides having a classically trained voice, he plays the guitar to accompany his singing at informal occasions and to teach Jewish songs to children. Cantor Slonim is a Certified and Invested Cantor. He has a Teacher's Certificate from the New York Federation of Reform Synagogues. He has over 30 years of experience as a Cantor and teacher. He was honored with the Sh'liach Tzibur Award; from the American Conference of Cantors in recognition of distinguished and outstanding service to Judaism and the Cantorate. He served as Chairman of professional Cantorial committees and was elected as a Vice President of the American Conference of Cantors. Cantor Slonim explains why he wrote this book: As a teacher for many years, I could not find that one book which contained all the information I wanted to teach, was enjoyable, easy to understand, and that appealed to both kids and adults. Some books were too advanced; some, too elementary. Some were stuffy. Some were outdated or did not relate to life today. They did not motivate kids or convince them that learning for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs lingers longer than parties and gifts. They did not overcome the unpleasant memories many adults have of their own religious education. And they did not appeal to readers who do not consider themselves religious, are from interfaith families, or want to know about Judaism even if they are not Jewish. No matter how much I searched, I could not find what I wanted, all in one book. Thus, I wrote this book, especially for pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah students, teenagers, and adults of all ages, in informal language, as if personally talking with you. On a personal note, Cantor Slonim is an avid basketball fan, played on his college team, and enjoys photography and cooking. He is married and lives in New York.

About this edition

• Publisher: Mitzvah Ceremonies, Inc.
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0981692400
• ISBN 13: 9780981692401
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 358